How far is Phoenix, AZ from Rio Verde, AZ?
The driving distance from Phoenix, AZ to Rio Verde, AZ is about 42.8 miles (68.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 29.8 miles (47.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 08m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The fourth most populous city in Arizona and the center of the Mesa metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Phoenix and Rio Verde.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix and Rio Verde.
-
1
Start on West Washington Street
2602 ft · 1 min · West Washington Street
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2
Turn right onto North 7th Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · North 7th Avenue
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3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 10 East: Tucson
1897 ft · 46 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2431 ft · 32 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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5
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
564 ft · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
1827 ft · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
12.5 mi · 15 min · Red Mountain Freeway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
1828 ft · 47 sec
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10
Turn left onto North Country Club Drive
2799 ft · 1 min · North Country Club Drive
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11
Continue on North Beeline Highway
4.5 mi · 5 min · North Beeline Highway
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12
Continue on Beeline Highway
6.7 mi · 8 min · Beeline Highway
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13
Turn left onto East Shea Boulevard
3136 ft · 60 sec · East Shea Boulevard
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14
Turn right onto North Saguaro Boulevard
3.8 mi · 7 min · North Saguaro Boulevard
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15
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Fountain Hills Boulevard
2417 ft · 1 min · North Fountain Hills Boulevard
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16
Continue on East McDowell Mountain Road
8.1 mi · 20 min · East McDowell Mountain Road
-
17
Continue on North Forest Road
1 km · 2 min · North Forest Road
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18
Turn left onto East Four Peaks Boulevard
1943 ft · 2 min · East Four Peaks Boulevard
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19
Turn right onto North Medelice Lane
592 ft · 26 sec · North Medelice Lane
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Medelice Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Phoenix and Rio Verde.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Red Mountain Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
12.5 mi · 00h 15m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Phoenix and Clear near Rio Verde.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Phoenix to Rio Verde?
The road trip is about 42.8 miles (68.8 km) and usually takes 01h 08m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mesa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.4 miles from Phoenix and 21.4 miles from Rio Verde.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 29.8 miles (47.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 13 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:14 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.06 one way or $14.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Phoenix and Clear near Rio Verde.
Stop Ideas Near Mesa
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Mastro's City Hall
City of Mesa Construction Permits
Chandler Passport Acceptance Office
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mesa.
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Phoenix and Rio Verde. Straight-line distance: 29.74 mi (47.86 km).
#1 Phoenix
The fifth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Phoenix metropolitan area.
| Population | 1,708,127 |
| Coordinates | 33.4483800, -112.0740400 |
| Altitude | 331 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rio Verde
Located in the high Sonoran Desert of Maricopa County at an elevation of 1617 feet, this unincorporated community is situated northeast of Scottsdale near the Verde River.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 33.7225400, -111.6756900 |
| Altitude | 493 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rio Verde (-111.67569, 33.72254)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 69 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $7.06 | $14.12 |
| Mid-grade | $5.03 | $7.60 | $15.20 |
| Premium | $5.36 | $8.10 | $16.20 |
| Diesel | $6.27 | $9.47 | $18.94 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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